Published February 14, 2023 by Hachette B and Blackstone Publishing ISBN: 9781668629963 (ISBN10: 1668629968)
Blurb
A Justice’s work is never done.
The Battle of Galen’s Vale is over, but the war for the Empire’s future has just begun. Concerned by rumors that the Magistratum’s authority is waning, Sir Konrad Vonvalt returns to Sova to find the capital city gripped by intrigue and whispers of rebellion. In the Senate, patricians speak openly against the Emperor, while fanatics preach holy vengeance on the streets.
Yet facing down these threats to the throne will have to wait, for the Emperor’s grandson has been kidnapped – and Vonvalt is charged with rescuing the missing prince. His quest will lead him – and his allies Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir – to the southern frontier, where they will once again face the puritanical fury of Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights – and a dark power far more terrifying than they could have imagined.
) Published February 28th 2023 by Head of Zeus Hardcover, 460 pages Author: Django Wexler ISBN: 9781801101424 Format:460 pages, Paperback Published: February 28, 2023 by Orbit ISBN: 9780316519663 Publisher : Head of Zeus — an AdAstra Book (9 Nov. 2023) Paperback : 528 pages ISBN-10 : 1801101442 ISBN-13 : 978-1801101448Format: Audiobook Published: August 8, 2023 by Orbit ISBN:9781668634899
Blurb
Two siblings divided by magic and revolution must finally join forces and rally the people to take down the Twilight Order once and for all in the final book of this brilliantly imagined epic fantasy trilogy. The last surviving Chosen, Ashok has finally risen up and taken control of The Twilight Order. He promises equality and prosperity, but Gyre and Maya know the truth. Only death follows in Ashok’s wake. To take him down, Gyre will have to unite old allies from all across The Splinter Kingdoms and the depths of Deepfire. And Maya will have to seek out a legendary weapon hidden in the mountains that could turn the tide in their battle for freedom.
Original title: Hirvikaava Series: Rabbit Factor (#2) This edition Format: 300 pages, Hardcover Published: October 27, 2022 by Orenda Books ISBN: 9781914585340 (ISBN10: 1914585348) Language: English
Blurb
Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen has finally restored order both to his life and to YouMeFun, the adventure park he now owns, when a man from the past appears – and turns everything upside down again. More problems arise when the park’s equipment supplier is taken over by a shady trio, with confusing demands. Why won’t Toy of Finland Ltd sell the new Moose Chute to Henri when he needs it as the park’s main attraction?
Meanwhile, Henri’s relationship with artist Laura has reached breaking point, and, in order to survive this new chaotic world, he must push every calculation to its limits, before it’s too late…
Absurdly funny, heart-stoppingly poignant and full of nail-biting suspense, The Moose Paradox is the second instalment in the critically acclaimed, pitch-perfect Rabbit Factor Trilogy and things are messier than ever…
Cover the Bones (Detective Mark Turpin series, book 5 Imprint: Saxon Publishing Publication date: 18 September 2023 Availability: Worldwide ISBN eBook: 978-1-915231-56-7 ISBN paperback: 978-1-915231-54-3 ISBN large print: 978-1-915231-55-0 Audiobook: 978-1-915231-57-4
Book details
When archaeologists discover a skeleton in secluded woodland, the body is first thought to be related to an ancient Saxon settlement.
Then the torn and rotten remains of another woman’s bones are uncovered, her injuries bearing the markings of abuse and a violent death.
Detective Mark Turpin is tasked with finding their killer, except the forensic evidence is perplexing and the victims’ bodies are proving impossible to identify. When a third victim is discovered only metres from the first, Mark and his team realise they’re running out of time to find out whoever is responsible.
Are the brutal murders the only evidence in a case gone cold, or does a serial killer lurk in the shadows, stalking their next victim?
Cover the Bones is the fifth book in the Detective Mark Turpin series from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett.
Narrated by: Katherine Parkinson, Bill Nighy, Peter Serafinowicz Series: Discworld, Book 31, Discworld: Industrial Revolution, Book 3 Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 23-02-23 Language: English Publisher: Penguin Audio
Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
The audiobook of Monstrous Regiment is narrated by Katherine Parkinson, star of The IT Crowd and Here We Go. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.
‘THAT’S THE TROUBLE ABOUT THE GOOD GUYS AND THE BAD GUYS! THEY’RE ALL GUYS!’
In the small yet aggressive country of Borogravia, there are strict rules citizens must follow. For a start, women belong in the kitchen – not in jobs, pubs, or indeed trousers. And certainly not on the front line.
Polly Perks has to become a boy in a hurry if she wants to find her missing brother in the army. Cutting off her hair and wearing the trousers is easy. Going to war however, is not.
Polly and her fellow raw recruits are suddenly in the thick of a losing battle. All they have on their side is the most artful sergeant in the army and a vampire with a lust for coffee.
It’s time to make a stand.
The first book in the Discworld series-The Colour of Magic-was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.
My Review
I always enjoyed this book, right from the first time I read it when the hardback came out. Terry Pratchett took on gender in this novel and questioned everything. He acknowledged the complexities of gender and explores the attitudes of societies that have very strict gender roles and hierarchies.
Polly Parks is a barman’s daughter in Borogravia, and she needs to find her brother. He went off to war and nothing has been heard of him since. She joins a regiment, the cheese mongers, who are led by Sergeant Jack Jackrum, a legend in the army. The squad – a few humans, a troll, a vampire, a dodgy, political, corporal and the ebullient sergeant Jackrum – are the very last of Borogravia’s army recruits.
We also see Vimes and the Watch in their diplomatic roles.
I happen to love this book, and this edition of the audiobook is really good. Kathrine Parkinson is a good narrator. I’m not sure about some of the pronunciation but I managed to get into it and really enjoyed it.
Narrated by: Colin Morgan, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy Release date: 07-07-22
Rincewind, and by extension the faculty of Unseen University, have a lot of adventures, fight all sorts of monsters, sometimes with a half-brick in a sock, and visit the far corners of the Disc.
Rincewind goes off to the both the Counterweight Continent and Fourecks, as well as over the edge of the Disc. He meets the Discs first tourist, the Discs greatest hero, a kid with amazing magical skills and another without any, some very tall ladies, a strange kangaroo, and plays football. In the process we see the way the University changes as an institution, and the social developments in Ankh-Morpork.
Some of the books were written in the early years of the Discworld, so there are attitudes that reflect that. Terry Pratchett was always trying to be a better person and you can see his social attitudes changing over the course of the novels, but the Rincewind/Wizards books are heavily weighted towards his early years. There is a massive improvement in his writing skills and his social conscience between The Colour of Magic and Unseen Academicals. There are legitimate criticisms of the orientalism in Interesting Times, and the treatment of women in The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic. I highly recommend The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret podcast for discussions about this.
Colin Morgan isn’t bad as a narrator, but his voices for Rincewind and some of the wizards are wrong. Sorry, they just are. I prefer Steven Briggs’ versions.
Narrated by: Sian Clifford, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy Release date: 27-10-22
Death and then his granddaughter Susan StoHelit have a series of adventures across the Discworld, narrated by Sian Clifford, who also narrated Hogfather. I reviewed that one and the Witches books last May.
Sian Clifford isn’t too bad as a narrator and Peter Serafinowicz has a good DEATH voice. Bill Nighy’s footnotes are delivered in a deadpan tone that works well. I enjoyed the stories; I haven’t read them for a long time, so these books were a lovely reminder of how much I enjoyed them the first time around. I think I enjoyed some of them more now, because I read most of them as a teenager, and that was a while ago, given that I’m 40 in less than 4 weeks.
The development of Death and Susan as characters is particularly obvious if you listen to the books in order. By this I mean that Terry Pratchett was obviously developing the characters and the Discworld over time, and that the characters grew as people. Death becomes more human as he interacts with people, and Susan starts to understand her nature better. Their relationship also develops from almost disbelief to an uneasy alliance.
We also get to see The Sweeper in action and Albert doing something other than frying a pudding. If you don’t know who these people are, I highly recommend reading/listening to these books. Well worth it.
The audiobook of The Truth is narrated by Mathew Baynton, star of Ghosts, Yonderland and Horrible Histories. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.
‘A lie can run round the world before the truth can get its boots on.’
William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork’s first newspaper. Well, with a name like that…
Launched into the world of investigative journalism, alongside reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, William soon learns that the news is a risky business. For a start, his colleagues include a band of axe-wielding dwarfs and a recovering vampire with a life-threatening passion for flash photography.
It’s a big news week: the most powerful man in the city has been arrested, leaving Ankh-Morpork without a leader. And a dangerous criminal organisation will do anything to control the story…
The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Truth is a standalone.
The first book in the Discworld series—The Colour of Magic—was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.
My Review
I’ve been listening to all of the new Penguin editions of the Discworld books and I’ve finally got around to reviewing one this year. I listened to The Truth over the last couple of days. I will probably be writing reviews over the next few weeks for all of the audiobooks I’ve listened to from the new Penguin editions. It may take some time.
I enjoyed this new edition of The Truth. I like the story anyway, but it was interesting to hear someone else’s interpretation of the characters. Mathew Baynton used slightly different emphasis on occasion which gave different interpretations to the sentences.
Mr Pin reminds me of the joking impressions of David Beckham – that squeaky voice and slightly ignorant tone. It definitely fits him as a character. I still don’t like the way these Penguin editions have characterised Drumknott, though. He’s been given a sibilant tone to his accent, like a snakes hiss. I think it’s a misinterpretation of the character.
Generally, I still prefer the Stephen Briggs editions, but this one is acceptable listening.
The Dying Season(Detective Kay Hunter crime thriller series Book 12)
Imprint: Saxon Publishing Publication date: 12 February 2023 Availability: Worldwide ISBN eBook: 978-1915231-12-3 ISBN paperback: 978-1915231-10-9 ISBN large print: 978-1915231-11-6 ISBN audiobook: 978-1915231-13-0
When a man is shot at point blank range outside an isolated country pub, Kay Hunter is thrust into one of the most dangerous cases of her career.
As personal and political disputes threaten to undermine her efforts to track down the killer, Kay’s investigation is complicated further when her superiors elect to coordinate the subsequent manhunt themselves.
Uncovering a covert trade in outlawed weapons and faced with witnesses too scared to talk, Kay will have to do everything in her power to stop the killer and prevent another tragedy.
Except this time, one of her team is in the direct line of fire…
The Dying Seasonis the 12th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series by USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett, and perfect for readers who love fast-paced crime thrillers.
Length: 4 hrs and 1 min Unabridged Audiobook Release date: 13-01-23 Language: English Publisher: Ryan Green Publishing
Summary
On the bloodstained floor lay an array of butcher’s tools and a body without a throat, torn out by Fritz’s “love bite”…
Deemed psychologically unfit to stand trial for child abuse, Fritz Haarmann was locked up in a mental asylum until a new diagnosis as “morally inferior” allowed him to walk free. His insights into the criminal underworld convinced the police to overlook his “activities” and trust him as an informant.
What harm could it do?
When the dismembered and ravaged remains of young men began to wash up on the banks of the river, a war-torn nation cowered under the threat of the man known as the Butcher, Vampire, and Wolf Man.
The hunt for the killer was on, and he was hiding in plain sight.
Butcher, Biter, Spy is a chilling retelling of one of the most brutal killing sprees in German history. Ryan Green’s riveting narrative draws the listener into the real-live horror experienced by the victims and has all the elements of a classic thriller.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 